An Old Fashioned Pounding
Sitting next to Firstborn Son and New Daughter, my heart was full. Surrounded by the smiling faces of our church body with our newlyweds close by, Husband and I were so grateful for this special evening. An old fashioned Pounding was being given by our church friends, Texas style!
Many, having not been able to attend the wedding, wanted to share in the joy of this marriage and so delighted all of us with a “Texas Howdy!” The generous children of our fellowship loaned their boots, in cowboy and cowgirl style, polished to a shine for the evening. Stuffed with a plastic bag and a bit of florist foam, these boots each housed a yellow rose. Plastic tablecloths provided a backdrop for red and blue bandannas, and boot centerpieces were the rage! (The children thought it great fun when spying their boots!) A few cowboy hats, a bit of rope, some strategically placed candles, and, of course, the Texas flag, provided frugal décor. New Daughter even had some pages left in her wedding guestbook, which were used to record names from this gathering. (She has the makings of a frugalite, don’t you think?)
Brisket, sausage, beans, and potato salad starred on the menu with watermelon and bread adding character. Of course, dessert was Texas sheet cake! Everyone had shared in bringing the makings of this feast that was so quickly devoured.
What made this evening extra special was the “pounding.” It truly made my frugal heart sing! New Daughter had been asked to give a list of supplies of any kind needed to set up her new household. Each family from church had picked from the list what they would like to purchase. Now Firstborn Son and New Daughter have a full pantry! What a wonderful way to bless a new family!
I couldn’t help but think that an old fashioned pounding really fits in well to the frugal life. It provides the newly weds with a wonderful start to their food budget and also produces a method of gift giving that doesn’t put undue strain on the pocketbook of the giver. I really like this idea! How about you?
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10 Responses to “An Old Fashioned Pounding”
July 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
I have heard about “poundings” but have never been to one. I think it’s a great idea.
July 1st, 2010 at 9:56 am
I have lived in Texas more than 50 years and I must confess I have never heard of a ‘pounding’ before. I think it is a wonderful idea. Best wishes to the bride and groom.
July 1st, 2010 at 11:05 am
I have never heard the term! (Not a Texan) Is it called a “pounding” because people bring a pound of flour, a pound of sugar, a pound of rice, a pound of beans?
or maybe pound cake?
July 1st, 2010 at 11:53 am
Sheila:
I do not believe that “poundings” are just a Texas tradition. In the past, I believe they were often used to welcome new families into a community. Here is a link with a bit more information: http://www.ehow.com/how_2150542_give-old-fashioned-pounding.html
July 1st, 2010 at 2:32 pm
I love the idea of a pounding. I’ve only participated in one, though. It was for a family in our church who had fallen on hard times and had to live with parents. Once a house of their own became available, our church filled their pantry with food and cleaning supplies. It was a lot of fun!
It’s an old-fashioned tradition that doesn’t get used much today. Most brides and grooms have been living on their own for a while, so they really don’t need anyone to fill their pantries.
July 1st, 2010 at 4:36 pm
I’ve participated in lots of poundings all over the country, including Washington and AZ, so it’s not just a Texas tradition.
We’ve most often seen them done for new folks in the community, as you don’t have to be newlyweds to find yourself low on kitchen supplies after a move. We sometimes do surprise poundings- we’ll ask a new family from church if we can stop by to visit them sometime Monday evening- this way they know to be ready for visitors. Then we ask other people from church to drop in for a come and go pounding between the hours of, oh, 7 and 9.
The first couple oof visitors can carry off the “Oh, I was just passing by and I had this can of corn in my car and thought you might need it,” but the honored guests catch on pretty quickly and it’s a lot of fun.
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:36 am
Our church has given us poundings. I don’t think it is a Texas thing though…..I knew about them in Kansas. I always felt so blessed to see what people bought for us……and have also had fun choosing things for others.
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:02 am
We were given one from our church when we got married. We were back to back with another couple getting married, each on their 2nd marriage, our 1st. They gave us a shower at the same time. I am a Texan, have always lived here, and that’s the only time I have ever heard of it. I think most (unfrugal) people are pretty materialistic these days and instead choose registries. I was 20 when we got married and we could have really used towels, kitchenware, etc. While these are a good thing, for a new bride just getting set up, it’s good to ask her what’s needed.
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Huh. I’ve never lived outside Texas (unless you count the six months of studying abroad), but I have never heard of a pounding! I tried looking it up. I appreciate the explanatory comments and link!
Though, without knowing about it, I guess my mother and I have sort of participated. We’ve both given a box of various spices to new brides (those get pricey real FAST!), and she’s given a mop bucket full of cleaning supplies.
July 4th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Never heard of this before, but it sounds like a great idea. Everyone I know uses registries to a store.
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